In "Tone Toys '95: Direct Recording Preamps & An Innovative Power Amp Simulator (Joe Gore, Guitar Player Jan 1995), the ADA Ampulator was reviewed along with the Marshall DRP-1, Tech 21 Tri-OD, and Hughes & Kettner Tubeman Plus. The Ampulator blew them away in the review; he strongly recommended that if you use these others, use them with the Ampulator, which provides power-tube squashy dynamics.

Tech 21: the Sans Amp Technology - "In 1989, B. Andrew Barta made his invention available. SansAmp pioneered Tube Amplifier Emulation for recording direct and performing live. Over 10 years of research and development went into Tech 21's proprietary F.E.T. hybrid-based circuitry. Designed to emulate tube amplifiers in their totality, SansAmp's 100% analog circuitry has a pre-amp stage and an output stage. Incorporates the harmonics and sweet overdrive characteristics uniquely inherent to tube amplifiers, which is largely caused by what is referred to as "push-pull" symmetrical clipping. A single tube is physically incapable of producing this result. SansAmp captures the warm, rich, natural tones of a large variety of tube amplifiers. Speaker simulation is part of the SansAmp Tube Amplifier Emulation circuitry. Engineered to yield a smooth, even response as would be achieved by a multiple-miked cabinet - without the peaks, valleys, and notches associated with single miking. Rather than interfere, the speaker simulation will actually complement the sound of your own speaker cabinets. The output is compatible with full range [flat-response] (multi-track recorders, studio monitors, P.A. systems) as well as limited range systems (guitar or bass speaker cabinets). Responds to and interacts with the dynamics of your playing and your instrument.

Some people think the Sans Amp is a success, others don't. The same is true for every amp emulator, it seems: "As for the Roland COSM amp sims, they sound OK, but not nearly as good as a miked tube amp. Close, but no cigar. I've been playing for over fourteen years and the amp sims in the VS can kill my inspiration. I use Marshalls and play through a 50 Watt master volume, preamp / master on 8 or 10, and no amp sim in the world, including the VS, can come even remotely close to sounding as good. The only amp sim worth having, I think, is the Sans Amp. It's the best I've heard." [George Carden - Feb '97]

ADA Ampulator rack: This lists for $600. wasn't as versatile as it appeared in theory. I couldn't get the warm, full sound that I was looking for.

Ibanez VA3 Virtual Amp: I didn't spend enough time with this to try and set up my own sounds. I just tried all of the presets. It seemed like more of a multi-effects unit than an amp simulator. This box excelled at giving the illusion that I sound like Eddie Van Halen. It would probably be a good choice for someone who plays hard rock. But I wasn't impressed with the cleaner sounds. I can't really see anyone recording direct with this, which is one of my interests.

Tech 21 SansAmp Classic: This is what I ended up getting, for $225 with DC adapter. This unit is EXTREMELY versatile for sounds. It has the following on/off switches: mid-boost (two of them for various levels of mid boost), low drive, clean amp (with this on, I find that I can get a convincing emulation of a tube amp on the edge of distortion. Very warm. But you can also get pretty rocking overdrive sounds with this on), bright switch, vintage tubes (along with the clean amp switch, my favourite feature on this unit. Gives a convincing tube amp sound.), speaker edge, close miking. Next, the SansAmp has a switch for choosing between a Marshall-type sound (mid-ranges and highs emphasized), Mesa/Boogie-type sound (flat EQ) and a clean Fender sound. As an added bonus, by choosing a clean amp setting and the Fender sound, this unit works as an excellent DI box for bass. Finally, there are four knob controls: presence drive (for high-end gain), amp drive (for regular gain), output volume, and a tone control. That's a lot of controls, but I find this unit pretty easy to use. Some of the recommended settings that they give in the manual are completely out to lunch, at least with my guitar. But it's not hard to figure out how to get a vintage Marshall or Mesa/Boogie sound on your own. I am extremely happy with the warm tube-like sounds that I can get out of this box. If the controls aren't set right, it can sound bad though. In particular, with the clean amp setting off, I can't stand the crackling-type distortion I get when the amp drive is set at a low level. So unless I'm going for a really high overdrive, I keep the clean amp switch on.

The Tech21 SansAmp GT2: This is the unit that I originally planned on buying. It was going for $125, without DC adapter. It may have been me, but I just couldn't get a decent sound out of this thing. All I could manage were the sounds that I didn't like from the more expensive SansAmp. Maybe I just didn't fool with the switches enough. I would be interested in hearing from someone else who has tried both of the SansAmp models. It seems like the circuitry is pretty similar between the two, but I just couldn't get the cheaper one to work to my satisfaction, much to my dismay. It would well for the real hard distortion sounds, but I couldn't get it to emulate a tube amp just beginning to distort.

I highly recommend the more expensive SansAmp Classic from this group. I never found a place to try the Morley JD-10, so I can't compare it. I suspect that the SansAmp is more versatile. Now that I've found the settings that I like on the SansAmp, I don't plan on changing it around too much. The versatility is most useful as a means of customizing the unit to get the sound that you want. It's not really intended to be used as an effects where you change from sound to sound.

The Sans Amp Classic distortion and amp emulation pedal from Tech 21. SansAmp Classic: list $345 - - $259 at Fred's Music. Features a front-panel Character DIP switch that selects the characteristics you want, with any combination of eight choices: Mid Boost I and II; Low Drive;Clean Amp; Bright Switch; VintageTubes; Speaker Edge and Close Miking. An input switch gives a choice of three preamp styles: Lead for Marshall« style with mids and highs emphasized; Normal for Mesa Boogie emulation; and Bass for Fender« tones, nice for rhythm. You'll find variable controls for Presence Drive (preamp contour,) Amplifier Drive (power amp contour,) Output and High (EQ.) Generates a variety of tones for live and studio use. Sample settings are provided for just about any amp. 9V battery or included AC adapter.

Tri-O.D. is a guitar preamp pedal with three footswitchable channels. Channel One offers Tweed (Vintage Fender) character; Two is California (Boogie) while the third choice is British (Marshall). Each channel features a Drive and Level control for true two-stage overdrive. You can turn each channel off and switch between the ones left on; if you turn them all off you can use the Speaker Simulator (with bypass button) and the Master Section with volume, treble and bass controls. One in, one out. List $245 - - $139.95 at Fred's Music.

XXL is a distortion stomp box from Tech 21. They describe it quite simply: "Rotund. Lardaceous. Corpulent. Bodacious, even." [But does the unit in fact possess those properties? - Michael] Its unique X-Factor circuitry, continuously adjusts the ratio of odd and even harmonics in your sound. That means everything from smooth tube overdrive to edgy fuzz tone, and anything between. This is controlled with the Warp knob, which manipulates harmonic structure and influences X-Factor relative to the dynamics of your instrument and playing. It's interactive; radically change your tonal characteristics with your pick attack and the force of playing. At the middle setting you'll dial up traditional distortion suitable for chords and rhythm parts. Turn it up and the tone gets smoother, fatter, thicker, juicier. When you turn it down, even harmonics predominate, like a saturated Class A tube amp. Level and Drive controls. A level-compensated passive Tone control, which is flat at maximum, boosts body and low end at the mid point and cuts highs in the minimum position all without altering levels. 9V battery or optional DC2 adapter. XXL: list $125 - - $95.95